Railroad signal



Nov. 17, 1936. w. COLEMAN RAILROAD S IGNAL Filed Nbv. 8, 1934 In. ELE-INVENTbR W. L. aolemaiv- ATTO RN EYS Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to signals for railroad crossings, and has forits object the provision of an apparatus which will operate instantlywhen a train is approaching a crossing to put the signal into action.The invention seeks particularly to provide an electro-magnet of novelconstruction which will act directly upon the signal and will operate ina highly efficient manner upon a weak current. The objects of theinvention are attained in such a structure as is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, and the invention resides in certain novelfeatures which will be fully described and then particularly defined inthe appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an electro-magnet embodyingthe invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the magnet connected with thesignal.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the spool which supports theWinding of the magnet.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral ldesignates a brass tube which is longitudinally split, as shown at 2,and 3 designates brass plates which may be formed integral with the tubeor sleeve and have radial slits therer in which are alined with thesplit 2 in the tube. One end plate 3 is located at the end of the tube,while the other plate is located near but at a point inwardly from theopposite end of the tube. Disposed around the brass tube I is a wrapper5 of asbestos or other fiber and at the ends of the wrapper are plates 6of the same material, said plates 6 bearing against the inner faces ofthe respective brass end plates 3, as clearly shown in Figure 1. Thewire constituting the winding 1 is wrapped around the asbestos wrapper5, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and extends between the plates 6 and iscarried to approximately the edges of said plates, as shown. Astationary core or plug 8 of iron is fitted in the extended end of thebrass tube l and is secured therein by a set screw 9, as will beunderstood. This stationary core extends from a point near the center ofthe coil or magnet to the end of the projecting portion of the brasscenter tube and in the opposite end of said tube is mounted the movablecore I0 which is also of iron and which has a central stud l I providedwith an opening [2 at its extremity to be pivotally attached to a linkl3 which is also operatively connected with a lever I4 controlling awhistle l5 and a switch arm l6 which is intended to be connected with alamp so that the lamp will be lighted whenever the signal is to beoperated. The whistle l5 and the lamp are mounted upon a frame 50 whichcomprises a bracket I1 and an arm I8, respectively, said bracket and armbeing of brass and the bracket having a yoke l9 at its upper end towhich the end plates of the magnet are secured.

All of the metal employed is brass or other non-magnetic material,except the cores 8 and Ill so that the magnetic currents which aregenerated will be concentrated in the cores and the movable core ID willbe quickly attracted by the stationary core and caused to slide withinthe center of the magnet to operate the signals even though the electriccurrent available may be quite weak. It will be noted that thestationary core 8 projects beyond the end of the magnet winding so thatit provides a large body for holding the magnetism and, consequently, aweak current will serve to actuate the movable core. It will beunderstood, of course, that the magnet is energized through an electriccircuit which includes circuit closers disposed adjacent the track andat some distance from the crossing to be closed by the wheels of anapproaching train and,

therefore, the signal will be operated automatically whenever there isneed therefor. The split in the tube l and in the end plates providesaccommodation for the expansion of these parts under high temperaturesand also furnishes an outlet for air which might otherwise be trappedbetween the cores to impede operation of the movable core and therebyinterfere with the successful operation of the signal.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A support for an article on another article, comprising a bracket havingan angularly downwardly extending arm for attachment to one end of thesupporting article and terminating in an upstanding yoke for carryingthe supported article between the arms of the yoke, and a second bracketextending horizontally between and secured to other portions of thesupported and supporting articles.

WILLIAM L. COLEMAN.

